April 15, 2021

Dear Friend,

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take paternity leave as my wife and I celebrated the birth of our second child just a couple of weeks ago. As a father, I can relate to many working parents who also struggle to maintain the delicate balance between work and family life, which is why, as your Congressman, I am fighting for universal paid leave. Every parent should have the opportunity to be there for their new family. This includes new dads who often don’t have access to the same leave as new moms do. 

Click to read about my personal experience with balancing work and family life, and the importance of paternity leave. 

I invite you to read my article in the Dallas Morning News on why I’m taking paternity leave. It is time that parental leave policies reflect the modern working family. As I write in my article, studies show that when a man takes paternity leave and becomes actively involved in the care of a newborn, there are significant benefits to the child, to the mother and to parental relationships. That means lower rates of divorce, fewer cases of postpartum depression, healthier babies and higher rates of women continuing to stay in the workforce. In empowering men to take an active parenting role from the start of their child’s life, right alongside the mother, we also empower women. 

Should paid family leave be universal?

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My office has always remained open to serve North Texans, and I have been voting remotely on important legislation even during paternity leave. I am grateful however, to have spent the past couple of weeks at home with my wife, two year old, and newborn son, and I will continue to work in Congress to make sure everyone can get access to paid leave and spend this special time with their new baby.

Sincerely,

Colin Allred
Member of Congress